Exercising apparatus



March 4, 1930. J. PAGANO EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 13, 1928 -.r/-i--i-l--- Patented Mar. 4, 1930 PATENT oFFicE JOSEPH PAGANO, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE EXERCISING- APPARATUS Application filed February 13, 1928. Serial No. 253,979.

This invention relates to improvements in exercising apparatus and has especial relation to a device having a pair of handles con- 7 nected by an elastic strap or member, and used primarily for exercising the muscles of the arms. I

Among the objects of my invention are:

(a) To provide an exercising device in which the strength of the elastic member may 1 be quickly changed;

(b) To provide an exercising device in which the handles may be readily attached 'to or detached from the elastic member;

(a) To provide an exercising device in which the strength of the elastic member may be varied with a minimum change of cross sectional area; p

(d) To provide in an exercising device having handles and an elastic member quick detachable means for securing the handles to the elastic member;

(6) To provide in an exercising device having handles and a detachable elastic member, means for interlocking the parts when attached whereby accidental separation thereof will be prevented; and

(f) To generally improve the design and construction of exercising devices of the general description.

The means bywhich the foregoing and other objects are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood'from the following specification on reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the device showing a single flat strap as the elastic member;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same form of the device;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing one handle and three straps secured thereto, and

Fig. 4 is the corresponding plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

In these views I have confined myself to the preferred form of my device in which one or more fiat rubber bands serve as the elastic member.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are designated by numerals,

10, 10, are a pair of handles, preferably of heavy galvanized wire bent substantially in the form of the letter D. In the loop of the D a section of hollow cylinder 11 is secured preferably by soldering. This cylinder is preferably a section of pipe and has a slot 12 extending from end to end thereof. 13 is agrip of the handle, preferably being a section of heavy rubber hose.

The elastic strap or member, preferably comprises a plurality of flat rubber belts or straps 14, 15, 16 which are ordinarily of unequal thickness. At each end, each of these straps is secured to an elongated link 17 preferably made of round wire, and in any event of material which will not pass through the slot 12. One end of this link is flattened, as at 18 to athickness less than the width of the slot12, so that such portion of the link only will pass through the slot.

The ends of the straps are secured to these links, preferably by passing the strap end through the link, folding the end 19 over one side of the link and clamping with a U shaped metal cuff 20.

By varying the number of straps the resistance of the device to stretch may be varied as may be desired. If an extremely light pull be. desired, only the lightest strap need be used- If slightly more resistance is desired the medium weight or heavy weight strap may be used. For greater resistance any desired combination of the straps may be used up to the full strength of all three, or more if desired.

In connecting the straps to, or disconnect ing them from, the handles the flattened portion 18 of the link is slipped through the slot 12, instantly accomplishing the desired purose.

It will be understood that the flat rubber straps are the preferred form of elastic memher, but I do not wish to confine myself to such a member except where the same is specifically claimed. It will readily be seen however that a number of flat elastic bands lend themselves most admirably to one of the objects which I have in view, namely the varying of the strength by addition or subtraction of straps. 10 v Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an exercising apparatus, comprising handle-s and elastic straps; detachable con necting means, each comprising a hollow cylindrical member slotted longitudinally and secured to a handle, and an elongated link, of slightly greater length than said cylindrical member, secured to a strap end, said link having one side normally positioned within said member, the link member material being of greater diameter than the width of said slot, and one end of said link being flattened to a thickness less than said slot Width, whereby said flattened end may be passed through said slot to detach said link from, and reengage same with, said member.

2. In an exercising apparatus, comprising handles and elastic straps; detachable connecting means, each comprising a hollow cylindrical member slotted longitudinally and secured to a handle, an elongated link of slightly greater length than said cylindrical member, having one side normally positioned within said member and having an end slidable through said slot, whereby said link may be detached from and re-engaged with said member, a strap end folded over the opposite side of said link and a U shaped clamp securing said strap end around said .link side.

3. In an exercising apparatus, comprising handles and elastic straps; detachable con necting means comprising a hollow cylindrical member slotted longitudinally and secured to a handle, anfelongated link having one side normally positioned within said member, said link having one end flattened cured to a handle, an elongated link having one side normally positioned within said member and having one end flattened to a thickness less than said slot width, whereby said flattened end may be passed through said slot to detach said link from and re engage same with said member, and a strap end secured to saidlink.

7. In an exercisingapparatus, comprising handles and elastic straps, detachable con necting means, each comprising a slotted hollow cylindrical member secured to a handle, an elongated link of a slightly greater length than said cylindrical member, having one side operatively positioned within said member and capable of being detached there' from and re-attached thereto, a strap end. folded over the opposite sideof said'lin'k. and means securing saidstrap to saidlink.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. JOSEPH PAGANO.

to a thickness less than said slot width, whereby said flattened end may be pasesd through said slot to disengage said link from and reengage same with said member, a strap end folded around the opposite. side of said link, and au shaped clamp securing said strap end around said link.

4. In an exercising apparatus, comprising handles and elastic straps, detachable connecting means each comprising a hollow cylindricalmember slotted longitudinally and secured to a handle, an elongated link of slightly greater length than said cylindrical member, having one side normally positioned within said member the link member material being of greater diameter than the width of said slot, and one end of said link being flattened to a thickness less than said slot width, whereby said flattened end may be passed through said slot to detach said link from and re-engage same with said member, a strap end folded around the opposite side of saidlink, and a U shapedclamp securing said strap end around said link.

5. In an exercising apparatus, comprising handles and elastic straps; detachable connecting means,each comprising a hollow cylindrical member slotted longitudinally and 

